pearl

[ purl ]

/ pɜrl /

noun

a smooth, rounded bead formed within the shells of certain mollusks and composed of the mineral aragonite or calcite in a matrix, deposited in concentric layers as a protective coating around an irritating foreign object: valued as a gem when lustrous and finely colored. Compare cultured pearl.

something resembling this, as various synthetic substances for use in costume jewelry.

something similar in form, luster, etc., as a dewdrop or a capsule of medicine.

something precious or choice; the finest example of anything: pearls of wisdom.

a very pale gray approaching white but commonly with a bluish tinge.

mother-of-pearl: a pearl-handled revolver.

Printing. a 5-point type.

Also called epithelial pearl. Pathology. a rounded mass of keratin occurring in certain carcinomas of the skin.

verb (used with object)

to adorn or stud with or as with pearls.

to make like pearls, as in form or color.

verb (used without object)

to dive, fish, or search for pearls.

to assume a pearllike form or appearance.

adjective

resembling a pearl in form or color.

of or relating to pearls: pearl diving.

set with a pearl or pearls or covered or inlaid with pearls or mother-of-pearl: a pearl necklace.

having or reduced to small, rounded grains.

Idioms for pearl

cast pearls before swine, to offer or give something of great value to those incapable of appreciating it: She read them Shakespeare but it was casting pearls before swine.

Origin of pearl

1300–50; Middle English perle < Middle French < Italian or assumed Vulgar Latin *perla (> German Perle, Old English pærl), for Latin *pernula (> Portuguese perola, perhaps Old Saxon përula), diminutive of Latin perna sea mussel

OTHER WORDS FROM pearl

pearl·er, noun pearl·ish, adjective pearl·like, adjective

Words nearby pearl

pear, pear haw, pear psylla, pear thrips, pear-shaped, pearl, pearl ash, pearl barley, pearl blue, pearl city, pearl danio

British Dictionary definitions for cast pearls before swine (1 of 2)

pearl ¹

/ (pɜːl) /

noun

a hard smooth lustrous typically rounded structure occurring on the inner surface of the shell of a clam or oyster: consists of calcium carbonate secreted in layers around an invading particle such as a sand grain; much valued as a gem Related adjectives: margaric, margaritic

any artificial gem resembling this

See mother-of-pearl

a person or thing that is like a pearl, esp in beauty or value

a pale greyish-white colour, often with a bluish tinge

a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 5 point

adjective

of, made of, or set with pearl or mother-of-pearl

having the shape or colour of a pearl

verb

(tr) to set with or as if with pearls

to shape into or assume a pearl-like form or colour

(intr) to dive or search for pearls

Word Origin for pearl

C14: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin pernula (unattested), from Latin perna sea mussel

British Dictionary definitions for cast pearls before swine (2 of 2)

pearl ²

/ (pɜːl) /

noun, verb

a variant spelling of purl 1 (def. 2), purl 1 (def. 3), purl 1 (def. 5)

Medical definitions for cast pearls before swine

pearl

[ pûrl ]

n.

A small sphere of thin glass containing amyl nitrite or other volatile fluid, designed to be crushed, as in a handkerchief, so that its contents can be inhaled.

Any of a number of small tough masses of mucus occurring in the sputum in asthma.

Scientific definitions for cast pearls before swine

pearl

[ pûrl ]

A smooth, slightly iridescent, white or grayish rounded growth inside the shells of some mollusks. Pearls form as a reaction to the presence of a foreign particle, and consist of thin layers of mother-of-pearl that are deposited around the particle. The pearls of oysters are often valued as gems.

Idioms and Phrases with cast pearls before swine

cast pearls before swine

Give something of value of someone who won't appreciate it, as in The old professor felt that lecturing on Dante to unruly undergraduates would be casting pearls before swine. This term comes from the New Testament (Matthew 7:6), appearing in Tyndale's translation (1526). It was repeated often by writers from Shakespeare to Dickens and remains current.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

pearl